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Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln | | | | |  | | By Shia Kapos | TGIF, Illinois! It’s Peace and Love Day, so spread some good cheer.
|  | TOP TALKER | | | | 
Jerry Morrison is retiring in October from SEIU but not the political game. | Photo provided | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Jerry Morrison, the assistant to the president of SEIU Local 1 and former executive director of SEIU Illinois State Council — and conceivably one of the most powerful political operatives in Illinois — is retiring. Sort of. Morrison is stepping down from his position running campaigns and directing policy for SEIU. But he says he’s not giving up politics. “I’ve been at SEIU 22 years. This is a young man’s game. I’m going to slow down and work for people I want to work for,” he told Playbook. “Now I’ll pick and choose.” Morrison was the force behind some of the most notable victories in Illinois politics over the past two-plus decades, starting with Jan Schakwosky’s first congressional primary against an upstart Democrat by the name of JB Pritzker back in 1998. Morrison then moved over to SEIU, where he wasn’t afraid to support challenges to powerful players such as Mayor Richard M. Daley and House Speaker Michael Madigan, even if he didn’t always win. He directed SEIU’s support for dozens of congressional, Senate, mayoral and state races, including the winning campaigns of Barack Obama for U.S. Senate, the late Lane Evans for Congress and, even, Rod Blagojovich for governor. Morrison’s real power can be seen on the Chicago City Council. In 2007, he spearheaded an effort to flip the council to a more progressive body and has worked on more than 40 City Council races, including those of Alds. Brendan Riley (42nd), Pat Dowell (3rd), Scott Waguespack (32nd) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th). Morrison plans to retire from SEIU on Oct. 1 — just in time to help a candidate with petitions for the 2024 election.
| | | THE BUZZ | | BLUEPRINT REVEALED: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition team is finally out with its report on how the administration can adopt the campaign promises that Johnson ran on. The 223-page report isn’t set in stone but offers an idea of the goals Johnson wants to achieve while in office. They include phasing in publicly run mental health clinics, creating a public bank, addressing public safety in a holistic way, promoting detectives within the Chicago Police Department, creating a guaranteed college fund for babies born in Chicago and bringing back the Department of Environment, to name a few. What it doesn’t include: “The report offers no recommendations on the new taxes Johnson says he needs to deliver Chicago from violent crime,” reports Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman. According to the report: “We discussed specifics of the mayor’s tax policy and tax incentives for corporations, but did not reach consensus. Ultimately, we reached agreement that the mayor should work to grow the tax base and reduce reliance on property taxes.” Why it took so long: The report was released two months after he took office, raising questions about why it took so long. “People of Chicago are worth the time,” he told a crowd of supporters and media in announcing the report. Behind the scenes: “Longtime City Hall staff grumble about the pace of decision making as [Mayor Lori] Lightfoot-era cabinet heads have stayed on in quasi-probationary positions that some observers have compared to the ‘90 Day Fiancé’ reality show,” report Tribune’s Gregory Royal Pratt and Alice Yin. RELATED Erika Wozniak, who was a force behind Johnson’s political campaign, is returning to the legislative director position she held with the State Revenue Alliance, which addresses revenue policy at a state level. Wozniak most recently worked as a political adviser for Johnson and his transition team. Wozniak had eyed a legislative liaison position on Johnson’s administration. She told Playbook only that she’s “deeply proud” and “honored” to have been part of Johnson’s campaign. If you are Ald. Pat Dowell, Playbook would like to hear how the transition report aligns with the city’s budget plans. Email skapos@politico.com.
| | | | JOIN 7/11 FOR A TALK ON THE FAA’S FUTURE: Congress is making moves to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act, laying the groundwork for the FAA’s long-term agenda to modernize the aviation sector to meet the challenges of today and innovate for tomorrow. Join POLITICO on July 11 to discuss what will make it into the final reauthorization bill and examine how reauthorization will reshape FAA’s priorities and authorities. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | WHERE'S JB | | At the Illinois Transportation Department's Hanley Building in Springfield at 9:30 a.m. to announce a new IDOT program.
| | WHERE's BRANDON | | No official public events.
| | Where's Toni | | No official public events. Before you get caught up in another lazy weekend, send me a line: skapos@politico.com
| | 2024 WATCH | | — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: Ron DeSantis is making a Midwestern swing headlining fundraisers in Lake Geneva and Heartland, Wis., on Tuesday and Indianapolis on Wednesday. Illinois Republicans on the Lake Geneva luncheon list include megadonors Liz and Dick Uihlein, GOP National Committeeman Richard Porter, investor and philanthropist Muneer Satter and former LaSalle National Bank CEO John Rau and Colette Rau. The Indy event is also interesting because it’s in former Vice President Mike Pence's home state. On the invite are GOP fundraiser Bob Grand and former Indiana Republican Party Treasurer Dan Dumezich Details here on Lake Geneva, Heartland and Indy. — In IL-11, Attorney Qasim Rashid launches primary challenge against Congressman Bill Foster: “Rashid has run for office before, in Virginia. He ran in 2019 for the Virginia Senate and in 2020 for a congressional seat in eastern Virginia, losing both races to Republicans,” by Mark Walsh for Crain’s.
| | | THE STATEWIDES | | | — Despite horror stories and deaths, will Illinois keep expensive prison health care company? “As the Wexford Health Sources contract expires, experts worry the state is likely to continue paying big dollars for poor care,” by WBEZ’s Shannon Heffernan. — Walgreens cuts 400 jobs, closes distribution center in Edwardsville: “The layoffs come six weeks after the drugstore chain said it would trim 504 corporate positions in Chicago and Deerfield,” by Sun-Times’ David Roeder. — Illinoisans can now change gender on birth certificate without medical record, by QuadCities.com’s Jonathan Turner — BEHAVE: New Illinois law allows hotels to throw out unruly guests, by WGN 9’s John Clark
| | CHICAGO | | — Chicago police investigating whether multiple cops had sexual relations with new immigrants, including a teen girl who is pregnant: “CPD officials wouldn’t say whether any of the officers had been stripped of police powers or whether the allegations involving the underage girl had been given to prosecutors,” by Sun-Times’ Tom Schuba. — U. of C. partners with Massachusetts firm to incubate startup companies in Hyde Park Labs, by Tribune’s Brian J. Rogal — Thousands could qualify for class action lawsuit involving Chicago city sticker, by ABC 7’s Leah Hope
| | COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS | | — Shakman era ends as Cook County Clerk’s office released from court oversight of hiring: “Lawyer Michael Shakman sued 54 years ago to end the practice of political patronage in hiring by government agencies in Illinois,” by Sun-Times’ Andy Grimm. — Lake County water crisis hits fifth day, by Daily Herald’s Russell Lissau — Ex-employees of Aurora mayor’s girlfriend claim she stiffed them out of weeks of pay, by WTTW’s Nick Blumberg — Glen Ellyn-area woman charged with neglect, cruelty toward 33 dogs after 14 animals found dead, authorities say, by Sun-Times’ Susan Sarkauskas
| | | | SUBSCRIBE TO POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | Reader Digest | | We asked about political rivals. Vincent Brandys and Bob Skolnik: Mayor Harold Washington and Ald. Eddie Vrdolyak. They openly battled in the City Council chambers. Lucas Hawley: Former Republican “war hawk” Congressman Peter King and “non-interventionist” Sen. Rand Paul. Paul Kendrick: Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. “They vied not just for the same positions throughout their political career, and even for the same woman, Mary Todd.” Robert Kieckhefer: Adlai Stevenson and George Burditt in the 1974 U.S. Senate campaign. “They were both nice and honorable guys but so boring we wrote a song for the Gridiron show to the tune of ‘Mr. Sandman.'" Ed Mazur: Mayor Richard J. Daley and Benjamin Adamowski. Daley defeated Adamowski for mayor in 1955. John McCabe: Harry “Bus” Yourell and Herb Huskey. They were opponents from the same Oak Lawn state House seat. In 1982, Democrat Yourell defeated Republican Huskey. Joan Pederson: Former mayors Jane Byrne, Harold Washington and Richard M. Daley “for the epic 1983 mayoral primary.” Steven Smith: Everett Dirksen and Thomas Dewey. What will your post-retirement gig be? Email skapos@politico.com
| | TAKING NAMES | | — Chicago State University’s president is on a mission to get more Black Chicagoans college degrees: “CSU President 'Z' Scott rejects the idea that a college degree isn’t worth it and shares her experiences navigating racism and sexism,” by WBEZ’s Lisa Philip. — Chris Kennedy and his wife, Sheila, joined the Kennedy clan in Hyannis Port, Mass., over the holiday weekend. Kennedy’s birthday is July 4th, via Instagram. — The Pritzker Military Museum & Library has named three recipients of its 2023 Citizen Soldier Award. They are 1st Lt. Bette Horstman (retired), Chief Warrant Officer 5 Candy Martin (retired) and Brigadier Gen. Wilma Vaught (retired). The awards will be presented Nov. 4 at the annual Liberty Gala at the museum.
| | | THE NATIONAL TAKE | | — McCarthy declines to endorse Trump — looking to avoid a GOP civil war, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris and Olivia Beavers — A new justice makes herself heard, by POLITICO’s Josh Gerstein — Marjorie Taylor Greene booted from House Freedom Caucus, by POLITICO’s Jordain Carney
| | TRIVIA | | THURSDAY’s ANSWER: Congrats to Clem Balanoff for correctly answering that Grand Boulevard in Chicago became South Park Way and then was renamed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in 1968. And h/t to Jerry Harrison for noting Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Springfield was originally East Grand Avenue. TODAY’s QUESTION: Who ran for U.S. Senate and Illinois governor to compete with his famous playwright brother? Email skapos@politico.com
| | HAPPY BIRTHDAY | | Today: Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, lobbyist and former Congressman Jerry Weller, former Cook County Judge Travis Richardson, former Ald. Rey Colon and Chicago senior assistant corporation counsel Steven McKenzie. Saturday: former state Rep. Helen Satterthwaite (who’s 95!), former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, Illinois House Dems’ Executive Dirctor TaQuoya McConnico, Cubs EVP Michael Lufrano, businessman and political fundraiser Raj Fernando, government affairs expert and lobbyist Hector Villagrana, former SEIU Healthcare Illinois/Indiana President Keith Kelleher, SEIU Healthcare government relations exec Alex Paterakos-Figueroa, Cook County Assessor’s Office’s Kelwin Harris, Zephyr Government Strategies principal Michael Cassidy, Democratic and pro-Israel political consultant Steve Sheffey, Razorfish senior VP Jerry Lawrence, WBEZ political reporter Dave McKinney and Wall Street Journal higher education reporter Doug Belkin. Sunday: State Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, former state Rep. Kate Cloonen, attorney and state Board of Elections member Bill Cadigan, Globetrotter Engineering chief strategy officer Mark Peterson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois manager Isabel Rouse, journalism ethics adviser and former Tribune overnight editor Casey Bukro and Congressman Brad Schneider outreach manager Ari Botbol. -30- | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
